"Cowardly yobs" drown baby Shetland pony in river

An 11-week-old Shetland pony has been killed by "cowardly yobs" who abducted and led her to drown in a river.

Heartbroken farmer David Heys, who runs a sheep and cattle farm in Nantwich, Cheshire, said his paddock was broken into in the early hours of 26 June and two-foot Squeak was taken, leaving her mother Bubbles distraught.

Speaking to the Daily Express, the 66-year-old said: "This was a deliberate act to cause distress not only to me but to everyone who knew Squeak and loves Bubbles. Someone has gone out of their way to lead or pull Squeak away from her mother and either push her or frighten her into the river.

"Everyone is distressed, especially my god-daughter and all the young children locally who love Bubbles and who were delighted when Squeak was born. She was a lovely little thing. The circumstances of her death must have been appalling.

"Bubbles has been running about panicky and whinnying for her. She just cannot understand why her foal is not there because she can still pick up the youngster's scent."

According to the Crewe Chronicle, Squeak was found drowned in the River Weaver on Friday 28 June, two days after she was taken, and police are hunting for someone who lured the foal away from her mother between 1am and 5am on Wednesday, and later pushed her into the river.